Board Member
Edwin L. Turner is among the founders of YHouse and is Treasurer of its Board of Directors. He is a Professor of Astrophysical Sciences and Director of the Council for International Teaching and Research at Princeton University. He is also an Affiliate Scientist at the University of Tokyo’s Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe and a continuing visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study’s Program in Interdisciplinary Studies. He has been an active participant in the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative since its inception.
Background
• Astrophysics
• Astrobiology
• Cosmology
• Statistics
Research
Ed is best known for his work in cosmology, particularly on strong cosmic gravitational lensing of quasars. Working extensively in both theoretical and observational astrophysics, he has published more than 240 research papers on topics including binary galaxies, groups of galaxies, large scale structure, dark matter, quasar populations, gravitational lensing, the cosmic x-ray background, the cosmological constant, exoplanets, astrobiology, and the origin of life, frequently in all of these areas with an emphasis on statistical issues. His intellectual interests and activities extend beyond astrophysics and include topics such as the limits of reductionism, the distinction between understanding and explanation, the philosophical implications of the multiverse model, and the nature of consciousness
Projects
• Sending Minds to the Stars
• Tests of Machine Consciousness
Home Institution
Princeton University